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When staff leave most organisations, they will generally be given a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of their favourite alcoholic drink. But not at North Sydney Council, which spent $8,000 on a farewell present for outgoing general manager, Warwick Winn.

But the problems don't just lie in NSW.

Melbourne City Lord Mayor Robert Doyle's council credit card has paid for up to 80 restaurant visits, including 25 to his favourite eatery, Lupino.

Over three-and-a-half years, Mr Doyle spent $58,000 on personal expenses.

In South Australia, ratepayers in Adelaide's Playford Council bought the chief executive a $110,000 Toyota Land Cruiser - the average cost of purchasing a home in the local government area.

But with councils across NSW fighting plans to amalgamate, with costly court battles being funded by residents rates, there are calls for more transparency over where money is being spent and why.